Belwin Master Duets (Clarinet), Intermediate Volume 1: Clarinet Book

This collection balances historical depth with genuine musical interest. You get Bach inventions and Mozart sonatas alongside folk songs and Snell's own character pieces, so students encounter real repertoire across centuries without feeling like they're plodding through an exercise book. The duet format keeps both players equally engaged, which matters when you're building ensemble responsibility at the intermediate level.

A tasteful mix of voices across time. The Renaissance and Baroque pieces offer contrapuntal thinking and balanced textures. Folk tunes arrive with gentle humor and straightforward melodies. Snell's rags and polkas bring ragtime swing and dance rhythms that feel modern and fun. Mozart's Classical forms reward players who shape phrases with intention.

Intermediate clarinetists ready to move beyond unison method book exercises and into real two-part literature. This collection serves equally well in private lessons, studio group classes, or rehearsals where you need repertoire that teaches musical concepts while remaining engaging for both players.

• Balance the parts so the second clarinetist isn't overshadowed. Mark dynamic relationships at the start of each piece so players understand whether they're supporting or sharing the melody.
• Treat the folk song arrangements with rhythmic clarity and a sense of style. These aren't transcriptions; they're small performances that benefit from articulation choices and phrasing decisions made in advance.
• Use the Snell original compositions (Licorice Stick Rag, Lopsided Polka, The Bells) as opportunities for character work. These pieces thrive when players commit to the style rather than playing them mechanically.
• In the Mozart and Scarlatti movements, listen for harmonic progression across both parts. Intermediate players often focus only on their own line; pointing out how the two voices create voice-leading teaches musicianship that transfers to everything they play.

Program a Snell original composition or folk arrangement as a lighter moment between heavier solo repertoire in a student recital. In ensemble settings, pull individual duets from this collection as warm-up or as the foundation for a student duet recital featuring multiple movements. The variety means you can sequence pieces to build stamina and style awareness across a rehearsal or lesson cycle.

• Balancing melody and accompaniment roles within a duo
• Reading Classical and Baroque formal structures (sonata, invention, rondo)
• Stylistic interpretation of folk melodies and character pieces
• Independent part-playing and listening to another clarinetist while maintaining your own line
• Interpreting expressive markings and dynamic relationships between two equal voices